CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The Fire Nation's Tears of Fire
The time had come for the Fire Nation to observe not one but three funerals; and this time nobody
was miraculously coming back from the dead. War Minister Qing was taking command of the
recently leaderless Fire Nation. This was no small task, The War Minister was doing all he could to
keep up morale; and it was sapping him. He would be presenting eulogies for the Fire Lord, his
Daughter and his Son-In Law. He hoped that his speech in their honor would rekindle the dying
flames of The Fire Nation's national spirit. War Minister Qing stepped onto a platform to present
his speech. Fire Lord Ozai, Princess Azula, and Grand Vizier Zhao were behind him in ornate and
intricately hand carved golden caskets. They were going to be cremated as was The Fire Nation's
custom of sending off its dead.
"Citizens of our great nation, as you are all aware The Royal Family was tragically and suddenly
stolen away from us. It is a bitter irony that they were taken by a former member, The Fire Lord's
disgraced and dishonored son, the damned and cursed Prince Zuko. He and The Fire Lord's
brother are the only frays of this long and glorious line. Citizens I am here to tell you that in spite of
this tragedy we will not be hindered in our glorious conquest of the other nations. The return of
Sozin's Comet is nigh! Let us fight as we have never fought before! Though The Fire Lord, his
beautiful daughter, and her legendary husband may be gone from our presence they will never leave
our thoughts and our hearts. Let us fight, conquer, and destroy all of the Fire Nation's enemies!"
At these words the throng that The War Minister was speaking too let out a roar that shook the
heavens. "I promise that we will capture and kill The Avatar along with all of his friends. They
cannot hide from us." Another roar from the crowd. "We will avenge our Leader's death and then
we will reign over the world for the rest of time." A third roar. "Enough talk, it is time for action!" At
these words the crowd of people dispersed arming themselves for what would surely be the final
battle before glorious victory.